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HomeSportsDefense holds strong, Lady Govs soccer remains undefeated

Defense holds strong, Lady Govs soccer remains undefeated

Austin Peay State University GovernorsThe streak continues for Austin Peay State University women’s soccer team which claimed a 1-0 win against South Alabama, Friday, at the Troy Invitational.

“It was a pretty even back and forth game,” said head coach Kelley Guth. “The team worked very hard and I felt like we controlled the tempo of the game. South Alabama was very organized and very good at what they did. We had to make some adjustments to take away some opportunities. They had some good speed and athleticism up front, but our back line did very well.”

This time it was freshman Tatiana Ariza scoring the game winner, just six seconds before the break. A shot by freshmen Andy Quiceno in the 43rd minute led to a pair of Lady Govs corner kicks as the first half clock ticked down. With a 10-second countdown in progress, freshman Corey Osborn’s corner kick was scored by Tatiana Ariza to give APSU a 1-0 lead that would stand.

Lady Govs Soccer - (Courtesy: Keith Dorris/Dorris Photography)
Lady Govs Soccer - (Courtesy: Keith Dorris/Dorris Photography)

The Lady Govs outshot a talented South Alabama team 17-6, with a freshman trio of Joceline Quiceno (five shots), Andy Quiceno (four) and Tatiana Ariza (four) leading the attack. Senior Michelle Johnson came off the bench to record three shots, all on goal. Freshman striker Emily Kink left the game in the fifth minute after an on-field collision.

The win was Austin Peay third one-goal win, which is as many as the past three seasons combined. Last year, the Lady Govs lost seven one-goal games. According to head coach Kelley Guth, the work ethic and game plan haven’t changed, the Lady Govs have just begun playing more effectively.

“We’re putting together the type of soccer where we are controlling the flow of the game,” she said. ” We are so much more dangerous offensively because we have a number of players that can score. I think we’re being a lot more effective up front. We do a better job of going at players and making them defend. It opens up the game for us to create better scoring chances.”

Austin Peay’s defense also extended its scoreless streak to 450 consecutive minutes, but not without being challenged by the Jaguars. In only managing four shots on goal, it was Austin Peay keeper Carley Newman coming up big with two key stops in the first half.

“We focus a lot with the backs on taking pride and ownership of their space,” Guth said. “We want teams to know that they are a wall that has to be beat as a unit. They’ve done a tremendous job so far.”

Austin Peay puts its streak on the line with a 3:00pm, Sunday match against host Troy.

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